Electric switch



Feb. 23, 1932. G. J. MEUER ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 5, 1931 m. a fw Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEDRGE I.

HEUER, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN', ASSIGNOB TO CUTLER-HAIMER, IN C.,

0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE ELEG'TBIC SWITCH Application led February l5, 1931. Serial No. 513,475.

This invention relates to improvements in electric switches.

An object of the invention is to provide a lever operated switch for multiple circuit control wherein an o position is provided for the switch in one extreme position of the able contacts of the switch.

Another object is to provide improved means for pivotally supporting, guiding and retaining the oscillatable lever of the switch. Other objects and advantages of the 'ininvention will hereinafter appear.

In thedrawings, Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view, in separated relation, of the several parts of .a switch constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the switch, il'- lustrating the manner of attaching the same to a panel or other suitable support, and

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, the clamping nuts being omitted.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral designates a flat punched plate of insulating material, such as laminated paper or fiber the laminations of which are impregnated with or bound together by the phenolformaldehyde condensation product sold commercially under the trade-name of bakelite. Plate 10 is provided with three equally spaced parallel groups of openings 11, 12 and 13.

The end openings 'of each group are respectively adapted to receivethe reduced 1 end portions 14, 15* and 16a of the arms of punched and stamped sheet metal contact members 14, and 16 of substantiallyU- shape in cross section. The reduced end portions of said arms provide shoulders as illustrated whereby the connecting portions 14", 15b and 16" of said members are spaced predetermined distances above the upper surface of plate 10, it being-noted that the portions 14, 16" are located in a common plane while the portion 15b is located in a plane slightly offset downwardly with respect thereto.

The reduced ends 14, 15a, 16a penetrate the opposite end openings formed in the terminal members 17 located on the lower surface of plate 10, said reduced ends being bent outwardly in opposite directions to rigidly and permanently secure the contacts and'terminal members ot said plate (see Fig. 2). Terminal members 17 are preferably of sub- Stantially elliptical contour, as shown in Fig. 1, and each is` provided with an intermediate tapped opening' to receive the shank of a binding screw 18 of usual form. The intermediate openings of each group 11, l2 and -13 provide clearance for the Shanks of the respective binding screws. A fiber strip 19 of inverted U-shape is preferably clamped between the middle terminal member 17 and plate 10 to insure against possible contact between the ends or beards of the wire terminals (not shown).

The contact and terminal members as thus far described are in general similar to those described and claimed in my Patent N o. 1,666,338, dated April 1T, 1928. However, it is required that the present switch shall have an ot position at one extreme position of the operating lever, and accordingly the switch contacts 14, 15 and 16 are specially constructed and arranged for this purpose. Thus the adjacent edges of contact portions 1Gb and 15h are arranged in spaced parallelism, the opposite edge of portion 15b being substantially cut away, as illustrated. Formed integrally with the portion`14 of contact 14 and projecting downwardly and laterally with respect thereto is a tongue 20, the end 20a of said tongue extending into the cut away area of portion 15b and beinglocated in the plane of the latter but spaced from the edge thereof. Tongue 20 is bent or formed to provide a groove 20" to receive and retain the movable contactor 21 of the switch whereby an olf position is provided for the latter.

vContactor 21/preferably comprises a hollow cylindrical metal member having a closed and cone-shaped lower end 21", the cavity 21b in said member being symmetrically proportioned with respect to the external dimenpression spring 23, said plunger and said sprin being telescopically received within a cylin ical cavity 24 in the lower end of a lever 25, whereby said spring tends to eject the plunger.

Lever 25 is provided with a hemispherical enlargement 25 which is adapted to bear against the annular internal flange 26a in the externally threaded hollow metal bushing 26.

The lower end of said bushing 26 is provided with vertically extending arcuate or segmental flange portions 26, 26 the adjacent edges of which are spaced at diametrically opposite oints to accommodate the root portions' of ugs 27, 27 which project into the substantially circular opening 27 provided in the top wall 27 d of an inverted U-shaped sheet metal housing 27. As shown, the adjacent ends of lugs 27 27 are somewhat wider than the roet ortions thereof respectively, the width of sald end portions being preferably substantially greater than one-third of the diameter of opening 27 aforementioned, and said ends being 'spaced apart a distance substantially equal tosaid width thereoef.

The flange portions 26, 26 of the bushing are inserted through opening 27 in the housing and u set over the lower surface of the top wall d thereof, as shown in lFlg. 3. The lower end of lever 25 is reduced in diameter to provide the portion 25 which is guided by the edges of lugs 27 n, 27 to restrict the lever to osclllatory movement in a single plane. rllhe annular shoulder 25 thus formed on lever 2:5 is adapted to slightly overlie the upper surfaces of lugs 27, 27 whereby the lever is restrained against substantial downward displacement wlth respect to the bushing.

Housing 27 is provlded with downwardly extending parallel arms 27, 27 f the lower ends of which are provided with pairs of lugs 278,

l27h to be received within the correspondingly located notches 10B at opposite longitudinal edges of plate 10, said lugs 27 27 being bent inwardly over plate 10 (as shown in Fig. 2) te rigidly and permanently secure the switch parts to each other.

The usual clamping nuts 28, 29 may be provided to attach the switch to a panel 30 or other suitable su port. c

The manner e operating the switch mechm. will be at once apparent. Thus in Leaaeso Fig. 3, assuming extreme left-hand positioning of the handle portion 25c1 of lever 25, the.

15 of contact 15. Upon subsequent movement of said handleportion 25d toward the right contacter 21 is moved with a quick action from the position thereof last mentioned into bridging engagement with the adjacent edges of portions 15,16 of contacts 15,16.

Thus it may be assumed that a common circuit wire is to be connected to the terminal of contact member 15, the terminals of contacts 14 and 16 being respectively connected to branch or individual circuits. A switch of the character herein described is particularly well adapted for the control of two-speed fan motor circuits, .altheu h as will be understood the switch mecha ism per se is of more or less general utility. Various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the switch parts willat once suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and 44Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is.:

1. In an electric switch, in combinatiom'a flat punched plate of insulating material, said plate having at least three groups of aimed openings formed therein, the respective groups of openings being arranged in equally spaced parallel relation to each other, three contact members of substantially U- shape in cross section, the arms of said members having reduced end portions insertable through the end openings of the respective groups to provide for attachment of said members to said base with thecontact portions o the former spaced predetermined distances from the latter, the Contact portion of the intermediate member being substantially cut away at one side thereof and the end, member adjacent to said side having an integral tongue olset downwardly therefrom and'projecting into the cut away area of said intermediate member but spaced from the edge of the latter, said tongue having a groove formed therein, the other end 'member having its edge spaced from said intermediate member, and a contacter movable selectively to bridge said last mentioned end member and said intermediate member orl to bridge said intermediate member and said tongue, said contacter being also movable into the groove in said tongue te provide an ica,

off position therefor at one extreme position thereof.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a. fiat punched plate of insulating material, said plate havin at least three groups of alined openings formed therein, the respective groups of openings being arranged 4in equally spaced parallel relation to each other, three contact members of substantially U- shape in cross section, the arms of said members having reduced end portions insertable through the end openings of the respective groups to provide for attachment of said mem- Y bers to said base with the contact portions of the former spaced predetermined distances from the latter, the contact portion of the intermediate member being substantially cut away at one side thereof and the end member adjacent to said side having an integral tongue offset downwardly therefromY and projecting into the cut away area of said in- 'A termediate member but spaced from the edge of the latter, said tongue havin` a groove formed therein, the other end mem r having its edge spaced from said intermediate member, a contactor movable selectively to bridge said last mentioned end member and said intermediate member or to bridge said intermediate member and said tongue, said contactor being also movable into the groove in said tongue to provide an off position therefor at one extreme position thereof, said contactor comprising a hollow substantially cylindrical member having a closed and cone-shaped lower end, and a spring pressed plunger having operative engagement with said contactor, for the purpose set forth.

3. In an electric switch, in combination, a fiat punched plate of insulating material, said plate having at least three groups of alined openings formed therein, the respective groups of openings being arranged in equally spaced parallel relation to each other,

three contact members of substantially U- shape in cross section, the arms of said mem- .bers having. reduced end portions insertable through the end openings of thev respective groups to provide for attachment `of `said members to said base with the contact portions of the former spaced predetermined distances from the latter, the contact portion of the intermediate member being substantially cut awa? at` one side thereof and the end member a jacent to said side having an integral tongue offset downwardly therefrom and projecting into the cut away area of said intermediate member but spaced from the edge of the latter, said tongue having a groove formed therein, the other end member having its edge spaced from said intermedi` ate member, a contactor movable selectively to bridge said last mentioned end member and said intermediate member or to bridge said intermediate member and said tongue, said contactor beingV also movable into the Vposed lugs formed integrally .and projecting into said opening, the ends of plvoted lever to telescopically receive said plunger, and a coiled compression spring in-` terposed between said lever and said plunger.

4. In an electric switch, incombination, a

flat punched plate of insulating material, a plurality of punched and stamped sheet metal contact-members secured to said plate and having the contact portions thereof spaced above the upper surface of said plate, one of said contact portions being cut away at one side thereof, the other of said contact portions having a tongue projecting into the cut away area, and a contactor movable along said tongue into and out of engagement with said first mentioned contact portion.

5. In an electric switch adapted for onchole mounting on a panel or other suitable support, in combination, a sheet metal housing having a top wall, said wall having an opening of substantially. circular contour formed therein, a pair of diametrically opwith said wall said lugs being spaced a predetermined distance from each other and being of greater width than the root portions thereof, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing having an internal annular flange, a lever having an enlargement pivotally engaging said flange, said lever having a reduced portion guided by the lug ends'to restrict the .same to oscillatory movement in a single plane, said reduced portion providing a shoulder engageable with the upper surfaces of said lugs to prevent downward displacement of said lever, and said bushing having a flange notched at diametrically opposite points to accommodate the root portions of said lugs, saidl fiange being upset over the lower surface of said top wall to secure all of said parts in assembled relation to each other.

6. In an electric switch adapted for one` hole mounting on a panel or other suitable support, in combination, a sheet metal housing having a top wall, said wall having an opening of substantially' `circular contour formed therein, a pair of diametrically opposed lugs formed integrally with said wall and projecting into said opening, the adjacent 'ends of said lugs having a width substantially greater than one-third of the d1- ameterof said opening and being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to said width, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing having an internal annular flange at the upper end thereof, a lever having a hemispherical enlargement pivotally engaging said fiange, said lever having a reduced cylindrical lower end to be guided by said lugs for oscillatory movement in a single-- plane, said bushing having vertical arcuate lugs or anges adapted to penetrate said opening, said last mentioned lugs being upset over the lower surface of said top wall to rigidly and permanently secure all of said parts in assembled relation to each other.

'l'. ln an electric switch, in combination, a fiat punched plate of insulating material, a plurality of U-shaped sheet metal contact members secured to said plate and having the contact portions thereof spaced from the upper surface of said plate, the contact portion of one of said members comprising a laterally extending tongue, the contact portion of the adjacent member being laterally cut away to accommodate said tongue, the end edge of said tongue being located in the plane of said lastI mentioned contact member and spaced from the edge of the latter, and said tongue having a groove formed therein to provide an E position for the movable contactor of the switch.

8. ln an electric switch, in combination, a dat punched plate of insulating material, a

plurality of U-shaped sheet metal contact members secured to said plate and having the contact portions thereof spaced from the upper surface of said plate, the contact portion of one of said members comprising a laterally extending tongue, the contact portion of the adjacent member being laterally cut away to accommodate said tongue, the end edge of said tongue being located in the plane 325 of said last mentioned contact member and spaced from the edge of the latter, said tongue having a groove formed therein to provide an od position for the movable contactor of the switch, and a third'member having the contact portion thereof spaced upwardly and laterally with respect to said second mentioned contact portion.

9. A stationary contact for electric sheet metal member of substantially lll-shape metete@ end, said member having a cavity symmetrically proportioned with respect thereto to provide a uniform wall thickness of the piece.

12. ln an electric switch, in combinatlon, a bridging contactor comprising a hollow metal member having a uniform wall thickness throughout, said member having a cylindrical body portion and a closed and coneshaped lower end, and a plurality of punched sheet metal contacts with the adj acentvparallel edge portions of which said cone-shaped end of the member is' adapted to simultaneously engage. i l

13. In an electric switch, in combination, a bridging contactor comprising a hollow metal member having a uniform wall thickness throughout, said member having a cylindrical body portion .and a closed and coneshaped lower end, a plurality of punched sheet metal contacts with the adjacent parallel edge portions of which said .cone-shaped end ofthe member is adapted to simultaneously engage, an insulating plun r loosely fitted into said hollow metal mem er, an oscillatable lever having telescopic engagement with said plunger, and a coiled compression l spring interposed between said lever and said plunger.

ln witness whereof, ll have hereunto subscribed my name.

' GERGE el. WWB.'

switches, comprising a punched and stamped w in cross section, the .arms of said member having reduced ends providing bendable lugs for attachment thereof to a suitable su port and shoulders for spacing a portion o said member from said su port, said spaced portionhaving a ton e ormed integrally therewith and extendlngdownwardly and laterally with respect thereto.

l0. A stationary contact for electric switches, comprising a punched and stamped sheet metal member of substantially lll-shape in cross section, the arms of said member having reduced ends providing bendable lugs for attachment thereof to a suitable support and shoulders for spacing a portion of said member Afrom said support, said spaced portion having a laterally extending tongue formed integrally therewith, said tongue being bent to provide a stop groove intermediate the ends thereof, and the free end of said tongue be- 

